US man builds fully functional WW1 replica tank

This American man has built a fully functional replica of a World War One tank – and took it for a spin in his front yard.

YouTube user Kammcswin shared the fruit of his labor online, where he picked up a lot of views and words of support.

As far as DIY projects go, a tank is a pretty cool endeavor to embark upon.

Whether or not the tank can shoot shells remains to be seen.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

The internet reacts to a homemade tank

To say that YouTube was impressed with this work would be an understatement.

One viewer commented: “And all of a sudden, his neighbors respected him.”

Well, wouldn’t you?

Who wants to get into a spat over a parking space with a guy with a tank?

Another wrote: “Even back in WW1, tanks were built on huge factory lines, so the fact you did this in your backyard is incredibly impressive.”

“Bro is about to storm the German trenches,” another joked.

The tank in question is based off the Renault FT, which was deployed by the French between 1917 and 1949, serving in several wars over the decades.

Over 3,000 were made, with many being exported.

Derivative designs would pop up in Italy, the United States and the Soviet Union.

Whilst it made appearances in conflicts such as the Chinese Civil War and the Turkish War of Independence, it was being considered obsolete by the time World War Two rolled around.

Tanks – no longer just on the battlefield

Tanks are popping up more and more in civilian settings.

One tank was a staple of a north England street for decades as it sat on the side of the road in Didsbury, Manchester, before being sold off.

It was taken apart, with some pieces going towards the restoration a German World War Two tank and others being sent east for the war in Ukraine.

There are also other people making their own tanks at home, with a few tweaks to make it kid-friendly.

For example, there’s this dad who made one for his son so that it could fire paintballs instead of bullets.

Are tanks becoming the new go-karts? Watch this space.